Adjustable nose bridge assembly for headworn computer

ABSTRACT

Aspects of the present invention relate to a head-worn computer, comprising a removable and replacable adjustable nose bridge assembly, wherein the adjustable nose bridge assembly has at least three user adjustable features to adapt the adjustable nose bridge assembly to the user&#39;s nose, wherein a first adjustment of the at least three user adjustable features is adapted to move the adjustable nose bridge up and down relative a lens of the head-worn computer, wherein a second adjustment of the at least three user adjustable features is adapted to rotate a nose pad of the adjustable nose bridge about an axis substantially perpendicular to a top frame of the head-worn computer, and wherein a third adjustment of the at least three user adjustable features is adapted to flare the nose pad to the side of the axis.

BACKGROUND Field of the Invention

This invention relates to head worn computing. More particularly, thisinvention relates to 3-way adjustable nose bridge assemblies forhead-worn computers.

Description of Related Art

Wearable computing systems have been developed and are beginning to becommercialized. Many problems persist in the wearable computing fieldthat need to be resolved to make them meet the demands of the market.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the present invention relate to 3-way adjustable nose bridgeassemblies for head worn computers.

These and other systems, methods, objects, features, and advantages ofthe present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art fromthe following detailed description of the preferred embodiment and thedrawings. All documents mentioned herein are hereby incorporated intheir entirety by reference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments are described with reference to the following Figures. Thesame numbers may be used throughout to reference like features andcomponents that are shown in the Figures:

FIG. 1 illustrates a head worn computing system in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a head worn computing system with optical system inaccordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates three views of a head worn computer in accordancewith the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a temple and ear horn in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a temple and ear horn assembly in various states inaccordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates an adjustable nose bridge assembly in accordance withthe principles of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates an adjustable nose bridge assembly in accordance withthe principles of the present invention.

FIGS. 8-10 illustrate adjustable nose bridge assemblies in accordancewith the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates a multiple adjustable nose pad assembly inaccordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 12 illustrates a malleable platform use in connection with anadjustable nose bridge assembly in accordance with the principles of thepresent invention.

While the invention has been described in connection with certainpreferred embodiments, other embodiments would be understood by one ofordinary skill in the art and are encompassed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Aspects of the present invention relate to head-worn computing (“HWC”)systems. HWC involves, in some instances, a system that mimics theappearance of head-worn glasses or sunglasses. The glasses may be afully developed computing platform, such as including computer displayspresented in each of the lenses of the glasses to the eyes of the user.In embodiments, the lenses and displays may be configured to allow aperson wearing the glasses to see the environment through the lenseswhile also seeing, simultaneously, digital imagery, which forms anoverlaid image that is perceived by the person as a digitally augmentedimage of the environment, or augmented reality (“AR”).

HWC involves more than just placing a computing system on a person'shead. The system may need to be designed as a lightweight, compact andfully functional computer display, such as wherein the computer displayincludes a high resolution digital display that provides a high level ofemersion comprised of the displayed digital content and the see-throughview of the environmental surroundings. User interfaces and controlsystems suited to the HWC device may be required that are unlike thoseused for a more conventional computer such as a laptop. For the HWC andassociated systems to be most effective, the glasses may be equippedwith sensors to determine environmental conditions, geographic location,relative positioning to other points of interest, objects identified byimaging and movement by the user or other users in a connected group,and the like. The HWC may then change the mode of operation to match theconditions, location, positioning, movements, and the like, in a methodgenerally referred to as a contextually aware HWC. The glasses also mayneed to be connected, wirelessly or otherwise, to other systems eitherlocally or through a network. Controlling the glasses may be achievedthrough the use of an external device, automatically throughcontextually gathered information, through user gestures captured by theglasses sensors, and the like. Each technique may be further refineddepending on the software application being used in the glasses. Theglasses may further be used to control or coordinate with externaldevices that are associated with the glasses.

Referring to FIG. 1, an overview of the HWC system 100 is presented. Asshown, the HWC system 100 comprises a HWC 102, which in this instance isconfigured as glasses to be worn on the head with sensors such that theHWC 102 is aware of the objects and conditions in the environment 114.In this instance, the HWC 102 also receives and interprets controlinputs such as gestures and movements 116. The HWC 102 may communicatewith external user interfaces 104. The external user interfaces 104 mayprovide a physical user interface to take control instructions from auser of the HWC 102 and the external user interfaces 104 and the HWC 102may communicate bi-directionally to affect the user's command andprovide feedback to the external device 108. The HWC 102 may alsocommunicate bi-directionally with externally controlled or coordinatedlocal devices 108. For example, an external user interface 104 may beused in connection with the HWC 102 to control an externally controlledor coordinated local device 108. The externally controlled orcoordinated local device 108 may provide feedback to the HWC 102 and acustomized GUI may be presented in the HWC 102 based on the type ofdevice or specifically identified device 108. The HWC 102 may alsointeract with remote devices and information sources 112 through anetwork connection 110. Again, the external user interface 104 may beused in connection with the HWC 102 to control or otherwise interactwith any of the remote devices 108 and information sources 112 in asimilar way as when the external user interfaces 104 are used to controlor otherwise interact with the externally controlled or coordinatedlocal devices 108. Similarly, HWC 102 may interpret gestures 116 (e.gcaptured from forward, downward, upward, rearward facing sensors such ascamera(s), range finders, IR sensors, etc.) or environmental conditionssensed in the environment 114 to control either local or remote devices108 or 112.

We will now describe each of the main elements depicted on FIG. 1 inmore detail; however, these descriptions are intended to provide generalguidance and should not be construed as limiting. Additional descriptionof each element may also be further described herein.

The HWC 102 is a computing platform intended to be worn on a person'shead. The HWC 102 may take many different forms to fit many differentfunctional requirements. In some situations, the HWC 102 will bedesigned in the form of conventional glasses. The glasses may or may nothave active computer graphics displays. In situations where the HWC 102has integrated computer displays the displays may be configured assee-through displays such that the digital imagery can be overlaid withrespect to the user's view of the environment 114. There are a number ofsee-through optical designs that may be used, including ones that have areflective display (e.g. LCoS, DLP), emissive displays (e.g. OLED, LED),hologram, TIR waveguides, and the like. In embodiments, lighting systemsused in connection with the display optics may be solid state lightingsystems, such as LED, OLED, quantum dot, quantum dot LED, etc. Inaddition, the optical configuration may be monocular or binocular. Itmay also include vision corrective optical components. In embodiments,the optics may be packaged as contact lenses. In other embodiments, theHWC 102 may be in the form of a helmet with a see-through shield,sunglasses, safety glasses, goggles, a mask, fire helmet withsee-through shield, police helmet with see through shield, militaryhelmet with see-through shield, utility form customized to a certainwork task (e.g. inventory control, logistics, repair, maintenance,etc.), and the like.

The HWC 102 may also have a number of integrated computing facilities,such as an integrated processor, integrated power management,communication structures (e.g. cell net, WiFi, Bluetooth, local areaconnections, mesh connections, remote connections (e.g. client server,etc.)), and the like. The HWC 102 may also have a number of positionalawareness sensors, such as GPS, electronic compass, altimeter, tiltsensor, IMU, and the like. It may also have other sensors such as acamera, rangefinder, hyper-spectral camera, Geiger counter, microphone,spectral illumination detector, temperature sensor, chemical sensor,biologic sensor, moisture sensor, ultrasonic sensor, and the like.

The HWC 102 may also have integrated control technologies. Theintegrated control technologies may be contextual based control, passivecontrol, active control, user control, and the like. For example, theHWC 102 may have an integrated sensor (e.g. camera) that captures userhand or body gestures 116 such that the integrated processing system caninterpret the gestures and generate control commands for the HWC 102. Inanother example, the HWC 102 may have sensors that detect movement (e.g.a nod, head shake, and the like) including accelerometers, gyros andother inertial measurements, where the integrated processor mayinterpret the movement and generate a control command in response. TheHWC 102 may also automatically control itself based on measured orperceived environmental conditions. For example, if it is bright in theenvironment the HWC 102 may increase the brightness or contrast of thedisplayed image. In embodiments, the integrated control technologies maybe mounted on the HWC 102 such that a user can interact with itdirectly. For example, the HWC 102 may have a button(s), touchcapacitive interface, and the like.

As described herein, the HWC 102 may be in communication with externaluser interfaces 104. The external user interfaces may come in manydifferent forms. For example, a cell phone screen may be adapted to takeuser input for control of an aspect of the HWC 102. The external userinterface may be a dedicated UI, such as a keyboard, touch surface,button(s), joy stick, and the like. In embodiments, the externalcontroller may be integrated into another device such as a ring, watch,bike, car, and the like. In each case, the external user interface 104may include sensors (e.g. IMU, accelerometers, compass, altimeter, andthe like) to provide additional input for controlling the HWD 104.

As described herein, the HWC 102 may control or coordinate with otherlocal devices 108. The external devices 108 may be an audio device,visual device, vehicle, cell phone, computer, and the like. Forinstance, the local external device 108 may be another HWC 102, whereinformation may then be exchanged between the separate HWCs 108.

Similar to the way the HWC 102 may control or coordinate with localdevices 106, the HWC 102 may control or coordinate with remote devices112, such as the HWC 102 communicating with the remote devices 112through a network 110. Again, the form of the remote device 112 may havemany forms. Included in these forms is another HWC 102. For example,each HWC 102 may communicate its GPS position such that all the HWCs 102know where all of HWC 102 are located.

FIG. 2 illustrates a HWC 102 with an optical system that includes anupper optical module 202 and a lower optical module 204. While the upperand lower optical modules 202 and 204 will generally be described asseparate modules, it should be understood that this is illustrative onlyand the present invention includes other physical configurations, suchas that when the two modules are combined into a single module or wherethe elements making up the two modules are configured into more than twomodules. In embodiments, the upper module 202 includes a computercontrolled display (e.g. LCoS, DLP, OLED, etc.) and image light deliveryoptics. In embodiments, the lower module includes eye delivery opticsthat are configured to receive the upper module's image light anddeliver the image light to the eye of a wearer of the HWC. In FIG. 2, itshould be noted that while the upper and lower optical modules 202 and204 are illustrated in one side of the HWC such that image light can bedelivered to one eye of the wearer, that it is envisioned by the presentinvention that embodiments will contain two image light deliverysystems, one for each eye. It should also be noted that while manyembodiments refer to the optical modules as “upper” and “lower” itshould be understood that this convention is being used to make iteasier for the reader and that the modules are not necessarily locatedin an upper-lower relationship. For example, the image generation modulemay be located above the eye delivery optics, below the eye deliveryoptics, on a side of the eye delivery optics, or otherwise positioned tosatisfy the needs of the situation and/or the HWC 102 mechanical andoptical requirements.

An aspect of the present invention relates to the mechanical andelectrical construction of a side arm of a head worn computer. Ingeneral, when a head worn computer takes the form of glasses,sun-glasses, certain goggles, or other such forms, two side arms areincluded for mounting and securing the had worn computer on the ear's ofa person wearing the head worn computer. In embodiments, the side armsmay also contain electronics, batteries, wires, antennas, computerprocessors, computer boards, etc. In embodiments, the side arm mayinclude two or more sub assemblies. For example, as will be discussed inmore detail below, the side arm may include a temple section and an earhorn section. The two sections may, for example, be mechanicallyarranged to allow an ear horn section to move such that both side armscan fold into a closed position.

FIG. 3 illustrates three separate views 102A, 102B and 102C of a headworn computer 102 according to the principles of the present invention.Turning to the head worn computer illustrated as 102A, one side arm ofthe HWC 102 is folded into its closed position. The ear horn section 308of the side arm is rotated relative to its temple section 304 to createspace relative to the other side arm 310 so when the other side arm ismoved into its closed position it can fully close. In a situation wherethe ear horn did not rotate to create the space (not illustrated) theear horn would physically interfere with the other side arm 310, whenthe side arm was in the closed position, and prevent the other side arm310 from fully closing. The HWC 102B view illustrates the HWC 102B withboth side arms folded into a fully closed position. Note that the earhorn 308 is in the rotated position with respect to its temple section304 such that the other arm 310 closed without interfering with the earhorn 308. The HWC 102C view also illustrates both arms in closedpositions with the ear horn 308 rotated to create the space for theother arm 310 to fully close. FIG. 3 also illustrates a portion of theHWC 102 where electronics may be housed in a top mount 312. The topmount may contain electronics, sensors, optics, processors, memory,radios, antennas, etc.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side arm configuration in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention. In this embodiment, the side armincludes two sub assemblies: the temple section 304 and the ear horn308. FIG. 4 illustrates two views of the side arm assembly, one from anouter perspective and one from a sectioned perspective. The ear hornincludes a pin 402 that is designed to fit into a hole 404 and to besecured by connector 408. The connector 408 is rotatable and in oneposition locks the pin 402 in place and in another position unsecuresthe pin 402 such that the ear horn 308 can be removed and re-attached tothe temple section 304. This allows the detachment and re-attachment ofthe ear horn 308 from the temple section 304. This also allows for thesale of different ear horns 308 for replacement, of which a variety ofcolors and patterns may be offered. In embodiments, the temple section304 may include a battery compartment 410 and other electronics, wires,sensors, processors, etc.

FIG. 5 illustrates several views of a HWC side arm with temple 304 andear horn 308 sections. The views include outer perspectives and crosssections as well as various states of the security of the ear horn 308with the temple section 304. Figure set 504 illustrates the ear horn 308and the temple section 304 in a secure un-rotated position. The same pin402 and connector 408 system described in connection with FIG. 4 isillustrated in the cross sections of FIG. 5. In the secured un-rotatedposition the pin is pulled internally within the temple section firmlysuch that it stays in place. Figure set 504 illustrates a state wherethe ear horn 308 is separated from the temple section 304. This state isachieved when pressure is used to pull on the ear horn 308. Inembodiments, the pressure is exerted by a user pulling on the ear horn308, which compresses a spring 510B that is mechanically associated withthe pin 402 in the ear horn 308. The mechanism uses the spring tomaintain pressure on the pin 402 to maintain connection with theconnector 408 when the connector 408 is in a position to lock the pin402 in position. Figure set 508 illustrates a state where, after the earhorn 308 has been pulled into the state described in connection withstate 504, the ear horn 308 is rotated about the pin 402. This puts theear horn 308 in a rotated position as described herein such that thefirst arm, with this rotated ear horn 308, does not interfere with theclosure of the other arm 310 when the two arms are folded into theclosed position.

An aspect of the present invention relates to an adjustable nose bridge.An adjustable nose bridge may be important with head worn computers,especially those with computer displays, to ensure comfort and alignmentof the displays and/or other portions of the head worn computer. FIG. 6illustrates a HWC 102 with an adjustable nose bridge 602. The nosebridge is adjustable through a mechanism in the HWC 102. In embodiments,the mechanism includes a fixed notched attachment 604, a movable pin 608adapted to fit into the notches of the notched attachment 604, and aselection device 610 that is attached to the movable pin 608. Themovable pin 608 and nose bridge 602 are connected such that the as themovable pin 608 shifts in position the nose bridge 602 moves in positionas well. The selection device 610 causes the movable pin 608 to engageand disengage with the fixed notched attachment 604 when presses andallowed to retract. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the selection device 610is not in a pressed position so the movable pin 608 is engaged with thenotched attachment 604 such that the nose bridge is securely attached ina stable position. FIG. 7 illustrates a scenario where the selectiondevice is pressed, or activated, such that the moveable pin 608 is nolonger engaged with the fixed notched attachment 604. This allows thenose bridge 602 to move up and down with respect to the rest of the HWC102. Once the movable pin 608 aligns with a notch of the notchedattachment 604, the two parts may engage to re-secure the nose bridge inthe HWC 102.

In embodiments, a side arm of the HWC 102 may include an audio jack (notshown) and the audio jack may be magnetically attachable to the sidearm. For example, the temple section 304 or ear horn section 308 mayhave a magnetically attachable audio jack with audio signal wiresassociated with an audio system in the HWC 102. The magnetic attachmentmay include one or more magnets on one end (e.g. on the head phone endor the side arm end) and magnetically conductive material on the otherend. In other embodiments, both ends of the attachment may have magnets,of opposite polarization, to create a stronger magnetic bond for theheadphone). In embodiments, the audio signal wires or magneticconnection may include a sensor circuit to detect when the headphone isdetached from the HWC 102. This may be useful in situations where thewearer is wearing the headphones during a period when there is notconstant audio processing (e.g. listening for people to talk withperiods of silence). In embodiments, the other side's headphone may playa tone, sound, signal, etc. in the event a headphone is detached. Inembodiments, an indication of the detachment may be displayed in thecomputer display.

In embodiments, the HWC 102 may have a vibration system that vibrates toalert the wearer of certain sensed conditions. In embodiments, thevibration system (e.g. an actuator that moves quickly to cause vibrationin the HWC 102) may be mounted in a side arm (e.g. the temple portion304, or ear horn 308), in the top mount 312, etc. In embodiments, thevibration system may be capable of causing different vibration modesthat may be indicative of different conditions. For example, thevibration system may include a multi-mode vibration system,piezo-electric vibration system, variable motor, etc, that can beregulated through computer input and a processor in the HWC 102 may sendcontrol signals to the vibration system to generate an appropriatevibration mode. In embodiments, the HWC 102 may be associated with otherdevices (e.g. through Bluetooth, WiFi, etc.) and the vibratory controlsignals may be associated with sensors associated with the other device.For example, the HWC 102 may be connected to a car through Bluetoothsuch that sensor(s) in the car can cause activation of a vibration modefor the vibration system. The car, for example, may determine that arisk of accident is present (e.g. risk of the driver falling asleep, cargoing out of its lane, a car in front of the wearer is stopped orslowing, radar in the car indicates a risk, etc.) and the car's systemmay then send a command, via the Bluetooth connection, to the HWC 102 tocause a vibratory tone to be initiated in the HWC 102.

In embodiments, the connection between the speaker system and the HWC102 may be positioned other than under the temple section. It may bepositioned on a side, top, bottom, end of a section of the side arm, forexample. It may be positioned on the front bridge, for example. Inembodiments, the speaker system may be connected to a top or sideportion and the speaker may be further positioned to face forward, awayfrom the user's ear. This may be a useful configuration for providingsound to others. For example, such a configuration may be used when theuser wants to provide translations to a person nearby. The user mayspeak in a language, have the language translated, and then spokenthrough the forward facing speakers.

The removable nature of the speaker systems may be desirable forbreakaway situations so a snag does not tear the glasses from the useror pull hard on the user's ear. The removable nature may also be usefulfor modularity configurations where the user wants to interchangespeaker types or attach other accessories. For example, the user maywant ear buds at one point and an open ear speaker configuration atanother point and the user may be able to make the swap with ease giventhis configuration. The port on the HWC 102 may also be adapted forother accessories that include lights or sensors for example. Theaccessory may have an ambient light sensor to assist with the control ofthe lighting and contrast systems used in the HWC 102 displays, forexample. In embodiments, the speaker port may be used as a charging portfor the HWC 102 or data port for the HWC 102.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to an adjustable nosebridge assembly of a head-worn computer. Positioning of a head-worncomputer can be complicated by the nature of the computer displays thatare intended to be positioned in front of the user's eyes along with thefact that people have different shaped heads, noses, eye positions, etc.The inventors have appreciated the difficulties in such positioning andhave developed an intuitive mechanism for a multi-axis adjustment systemfor the head-worn computer. In embodiments, the multi-axis adjustmentsystem provides for vertical adjustment of the nose bridge, persistentrotational settings for the nose pads, and persistent outward/inwardflex of the nose pads. Such a system is designed to be used on a widevariety of nose shapes and head sizes.

FIG. 8 illustrates a portion of a head-worn computer 102 with a mountingarea 802 for an adjustable nose bridge assembly 804.

FIG. 9 illustrates an an adjustable nose bridge assembly 804 in threedifferent vertical positions 904, 908, and 910. In embodiments, theadjustable nose bridge 804 has a selection device 610 and nose pads 902.In embodiments, the selection device is a button, or other suitable userinterface, and is mechanically arranged such that pushing the buttonreleases the nose bridge such that it can be moved up and down. In thisembodiment, the button engages with a tooth or other such feature tohold the nose bridge in place. In embodiments, the adjustment may becontinuous or discrete and may be mechanically, electrically, orotherwise controlled.

FIG. 10 illustrates an engagement mechanism for removing and replacingthe nose pads from and to the vertical adjustment portion of theadjustable nose bridge assembly. As can be seen in FIG. 10, the nosepads are attached to a clip style mechanism that is adapted to mate withthe vertical nose bridge adjustment system. FIG. 10 also shows a clearversion of one nose pad to illustrate how it is over-molded to a stiff(e.g. metal) member. The inventors appreciate that there are a number ofways to attach the nose pads to the vertical adjustment system and thisexample is provided as a non-limiting example.

FIG. 11 illustrates a system providing two additional movable featuresfor the nose pads. Together with the vertical adjustment portion, thisconfiguration provides for a three-way adjustment system. Adjustment1002 illustrates how the nose pads may be rotated or otherwisemanipulated from a rear facing view. Adjustment 1004 illustrates how thenose pads may be rotated or otherwise manipulated from a top view. Onceassembled on the head-worn computer, the vertical adjustment and twonose pad rotational adjustments provide for a system that accommodatesmany nose, face, and head shapes.

FIG. 12 illustrates a nose pad mount 1102. As previously described, thenose pads may be over-molded on to the ends of a mount. In thisembodiment, the nose pads are over-molded on the ends of the nose padmount 1102. The nose pad mount 1102 is designed to be malleable aroundthe 2 mm dimension shown. This permits the user to twist, turn, bend,flare, or otherwise manipulate the nose pad mount 1102 to change thepositions of the nose pads, which then can accommodate the user's facialstructure. While the embodiment shown in FIG. 12 illustrates a singlepiece, the inventors have appreciated that this mount may be assembledin multiple pieces.

Although embodiments of HWC have been described in language specific tofeatures, systems, computer processes and/or methods, the appendedclaims are not necessarily limited to the specific features, systems,computer processes and/or methods described. Rather, the specificfeatures, systems, computer processes and/or and methods are disclosedas non-limited example implementations of HWC. All documents referencedherein are hereby incorporated by reference.

We claim:
 1. A head-worn computer, comprising a removable andreplaceable adjustable nose bridge assembly, wherein the adjustable nosebridge assembly has at least three user adjustable features tomechanically position the adjustable nose bridge assembly to the user'snose, wherein a first adjustment of the at least three user adjustablefeatures is adapted to move the adjustable nose bridge up and downrelative a lens of the head-worn computer, wherein a second adjustmentof the at least three user adjustable features is adapted to rotate anose pad of the adjustable nose bridge about an axis substantiallyperpendicular to a top frame of the head-worn computer, and wherein athird adjustment of the at least three user adjustable features isadapted to flare the nose pad to the side of the axis.
 2. The head-worncomputer of claim 1, wherein the first adjustment includes a useractivated feature to release the nose bridge assembly from the head-worncomputer so that the user moves the nose bridge assembly and wherein theuser activated feature further locks the nose bridge in place once theuser has completed the move.
 3. The head-worn computer of claim 1,wherein the second adjustment includes a malleable member that maintainsa persistent position after a user adjustment.
 4. The head-worn computerof claim 1, wherein the third adjustment includes a malleable memberthat maintains a persistent position after a user adjustment.
 5. Thehead-worn computer of claim 1, wherein the second and third adjustmentsinclude a malleable member that maintains a persistent position after auser adjustment, wherein the malleable member performs both the secondand third adjustments.
 6. The head-worn computer of claim 1, wherein thenose pad is mounted on a malleable metal mount, wherein the malleablemetal mount maintains a position of the nose bridge but is useradjustable.